Flexible connection for articulating vessels

ABSTRACT

A coupling apparatus interposed between two vessels to connect such vessels in an articulated manner. The vessels may be components of a barge train. The coupling apparatus permits the barges to be individually removed from such train. The apparatus includes one or more resilient posts removably interposed between the vessels. The resiliency of the posts permits the posts to flex and bend for accommodating simultaneous relative movement in roll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave between the vessels resulting from wave action.

United States Patent [191 Marriner Mar. 26, 1974 FLEXIBLE CONNECTION FORARTICULATING VESSELS [76] Inventor: John E. Marriner, Long Beach,

Calif. 90802 [22] Filed: May 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,021

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 88938,Nov. 12,

[52] 11.8. CI 114/235 A, 114/.5 F, 24/208 R [51] Int. Cl B63b 21/56 [58]Field of Search... 114/235 R, 235 A, 77, 0.5 F; 280/511; 213/40 R, 96,97; 24/230 LP, 230 F, 208 R; 287/12, 20.92 E; 64/7, 8, 11; 46/221 56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,494,318 2/1970 Katsumura114/235 3,224,137 12/1965 Wright et al 46/221 X 3,435.642 4/1969 DelPasco 24/230 a l 1 d" .11,

2,486,741 11/1949 Gabriel 213/40 2,876,726 3/1959 Robishaw...

1,723,306 8/1929 Sipe 3,129,472 4/1964 Hensel 287/2092 PrimaryExaminer-George E. A. Halvosa Assistant ExaminerEdward R. KazenskeAttorney, Agent, or FirmFulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht [57]ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEIJmzs m4 SHEU 1 IF 5FLEXIBLE CONNECTION FOR ARTICULATING VESSELS C ROSS-REF ERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my Patentapplication Ser. No. 88,938 filed Nov. 12, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been heretofore proposed to provide atrain of barges connected to one another by means of a quickconnect anddisconnect hinge coupling, with the rearmost barge similarly connectedto a propulsion unit which pushes the barges, and the assembly of bargetrain and propulsion unit comprising an articulated vessel. Such anarticulated vessel would afford many important advantages in cargohandling and delivery as compared to the conventional single hullvessel. By way of example, individual barges could be loaded anddischarged independently of the operation of the propulsion unit.Accordingly, cargo could be loaded and unloaded at times convenient tothe consignor and consignee. It would not be necessary (as with aconventional single hull vessel) to proceed to individual docks orwharves for loading and discharge, nor would it be necessary to stand-bywhile loading and discharging at anchor in the stream. Also, it wouldnot be necessary to proceed up and down rivers for cargo. Instead, suchan articulated barge train could enter port, anchor'and then proceed todisconnect individual barges for that port of entry and pick up bargesready to proceed to the next port of destination. In the case of amarine casualty involving grounding, collision or enemy action, it wouldbe possible to disengage the damaged barge or barges from the train,with the remaining barges and the propulsion unit continuing thejourney. Many other advantages could be obtained from the use of such anarticulated barge train.

Applicant is aware of several United States Patents which have beenissued directed to this concept, including, US. Pat. Nos. 45,700;1,259,860; 1,797,600; 3,035,536; 3,125,059; 3,257,986 and 3,494,318.

None of the articulated barge trains heretofore proposed have beencommercially successful, however. It would appear that such lack ofcommercial success was due primarily to the heavy, bulky and expensivenature of the couplings interposed between the adjoining vessels, itbeing understood that such couplings must be capable of bending whilewithstanding compressive and tensive forces of large magnitudes, affordready disconnectability of adjoining vessels, and yet permit theadjoining vessels to freely undergo simultaneous relative movement inroll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave due to the effect of wave action onthe vessels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the present inventionto provide a force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between twoclosely adjoining vessels which will accommodate relative movementbetween the vessels.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the aforedescribed naturewhich permits such vessels to be readily disconnected from one another.

Another object is to provide a coupling apparatus of the aforedescribednature which is relatively inexpensive of construction, foolproof inoperation and capable of affording a long service life.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide couplingapparatus of the aforedescribed nature utilizing resilient post meansinterposed between the vessels, with such post means being removablyreceived within complementary socket means on said vessels, and withlock means being provided for removably retaining the post means withinthe socket means. The post means are sufficiently resilient toaccommodate relative movement between the vessels, but have sufficientstrength to transmit compressive and tensive forces from one vessel tothe other while permitting the vessels to undergo simultaneous relativemovement in roll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave.

It is an object of one form of the present invention to provide couplingapparatus of the aforedescribed nature wherein the post means areadjustably retractable relative to one of the vessels to accommodatewater conditions and for stowage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a barge trainutilizing a preferred form of coupling apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of said train;

FIG. 3 is a broken perspective view showing said coupling apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the post member of said couplingapparatus;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in enlarged scale along line6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a broken vertical sectional view taken along lines 77 of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a broken vertical sectional view showing the operation of thelock means of said coupling apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of a barge train utilizing asecond form of coupling apparatus embody-. ing the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken in enlarged scale along linel0-l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken in further enlarged scalealong line l2l2 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the post member of FIG. 10 as such postmember appears when it is in tension;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken in enlarged scale on line14-14 of FIG. 13; 4

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the post member of FIG. 10 when said postmember is under compression;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken in enlarged scale along line16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the post member of FIG. 10 when such postmember is disposed in a heaving condition;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the post member of FIG. 10 when such postmember is in a bending position;

FIG. 19 is a third form of post member embodying the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken in enlarged scale along line20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of a retractable post memberembodying the present invention, such post member being arranged in itsstowed position;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing such post memberdisposed in a calm-water barge coupling position;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing such post memberarranged in a rough-water barge coupling position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings andparticularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a barge trainutilizing a preferred form of coupling apparatus embodying the presentinvention. The barge train includes a propulsion unit P and a pluralityof closely adjoining barges B1, B2 and B3. The propulsion unit P maytake the form of a conventional push or tug boat, while the barges arelikewise of conventional construction. The bow of the push boat P andthe stern of barge B1, the bow of barge B1 and the stern of barge B2 andthe bow of barge B2 and the stern of barge B3 are interconnected bysimilar coupling apparatus A embodying the present invention.

Referring now to the remaining figures of the drawings, the couplingapparatus A includes resilient post means, generally designatedcomplementary socket means, generally designated 12, secured to the bowand stem of adjoining vessels; and lock means, generally designated 14(shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) that releasably retain the opposite ends ofthe post means 10 within socket means 12. The resilient nature of thepost means 10 permit such post means to flex and thereby accommodaterelative movement between the adjoining vessels while transferringcompressive and tensive forces from one vessel to another. As indicatedin FIG. 3, however, the post means are sufficiently rigid as to beself-supporting in a horizontally extending position when one end ofsuch post means is disconnected from an adjoining vessel.

More particularly, and referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the post means 10are each of like construction and include a cylindrical body formed of aresilient material which is capable of transferring compressive andtensive forces of large magnitudes. A suitable resilient material isNeoprene. Other materials may be employed, however. Rigidly securedtothe front and rear of the cylinder 20 are a front cap 22 and a rearcap 24 both formed of a rigid, wear-resistant material such as steel.The portion of the caps 22 and 24 adjoining the front and rear ends ofcylinder 20 are of generally hemispherical configuration defining knobs26 and 28, respectively. The intermediate portions of the front and rearcaps are formed with an annular groove, designated 30 and 32,respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the socket means 12 of each vessel are of likeconstruction and are secured to the bow and stem portions of each of theadjoining vessels. Each socket element includes a barrel having itsouter portion secured as by welding to the stem or transom of one of thevessels of the barge train in alignment with a bore 42 formed in suchstern or transom. Each bore 42 is formed with a flared entry tofacilitate guiding of the front or rear cap of each post 10 within thebarrel 40. The inner end of each socket is of generallysemi-hemispherical configuration approximately the configuration of theknobs 26 and 28 of the noise and tail caps 22 and 24. A transverseopening 44 is formed in the upper surface of each of the barrels 40 invertical alignment with the locking grooves 30 and 32 of the nose andtail caps 22 and 24, respectively.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the locking means 14 ofeach vessel are of like construction, with one such locking means beingdisposed in the bow and stern portion of each of the vessels of thebarge train. Each locking means includes a horizontal latch bar 50aligned with the openings 44 of each socket barrel 40. Suitableconventional bearings (not shown) are provided for supporting theselatch bars 50 for rotation about their longitudinal axis. Such rotationcan be effected by means of a conventional fluidactuated cylinder andpiston unit 54, with the piston rod thereof being pivotally connected tothe free end of a crank arm 56. The opposite end of each crank arm 56 isrigidly affixed as by welding to the midportion of its respective bar50, as shown in FIG. 7. Each latch bar 50 is formed with a pair of flats58 and 60.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-8, four posts 10 andfour complementary sockets 12 are shown. It should be understood,however, that the number of such posts and sockets may be varied inaccordance with the size of the vessels and the expected sea conditionsencountered thereby. It should be further noted that the construction ofthe posts 20 may be varied. By way of example, the resilient cylinder 20may be of tubular construction rather than solid construction.

In the operation of the aforedescribed coupling apparatus, normally oneend of each of the posts 10 will be initially secured to the stern ofone of the vessels of the barge train, as for example, barge B2 asindicated in FIG. 6. At this time the front cap 24 will be locked withinits complementary socket 12 by means of the latch bar 50, such latch barbeing positioned as shown in FIG. 6, with its flats 58 and 60 extendingat an inclined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the post 10.With the posts 10 extending from the rear of barge B1, push boat P willbe moved towards the stern of barge B1 and the rear end of the posts 10will be inserted within the sockets 12 of the push boat. During suchinsertion, the cylinder and piston unit 54 of the push boat will bearranged in their postiion of FIG. 8 as to dispose the floats 58 and 60of latch bar 50 in a horizontal plane outside the confines of barrels 40so that latch bar 50 is clear of the interior of the barrels. When therear caps 22 of the posts 10 are fully inerted within their respectivebarrels 40, the cylinder and piston unit 54 of push boat P will beactuated so as to rotate the latch bar 50 to its position of FIG. 6. Atthis time the latch bar 50 will enter into the locking grooves 30 so asto positively lock the rear caps 22 of the posts 10 within theircomplementary recesses.

With the posts 10 securely retained within their complementary sockets12, such posts can bend while transferring compressive and tensiveforces between the push boat P and barge B1; between barge B1 and bargeB2; and between barge B2 and barge B3. Concurrently, because of theresilient nature of the posts 10, the individual vessels of the bargetrain are free to undergo simultaneous relative movement resulting fromthe forces of the wind, waves, and perhaps currents, tendingto make suchvessels roll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave.

When it is desired to remove one of the vessels of the barge train fromthe train, the lock means 14 on either the vessel to be removed or oneither of the vessels adjacent thereto will be actuated so as to rotatethe latch bar 50 to its release position of FIG. 8. The posts dis posedwithin the sockets associated with such lock means can then be freelyretracted from within their sockets. The provision of lock means 14 ateach end of each vessel, permits not only flexibility of operation withrespect to the end of the vessels from which the posts will be removed,but additionally it renders simple any necessary replacement of theposts 10.

If desired tether lines may be utilized between adjoining vessels topermit fluid and/or electric power to be progressively transferred frompush boat P to the barges as the latter are joined to the train.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-18, there is disclosed a second form ofcoupling apparatus embodying the present invention. In FIG. 9 there isshown a barge train including a plurality of closely adjoining bargesB1, B2 and B3. Each pair of barges is interconnected by a pair of likepost members, generally designated rather than four of such postmembers, as with the arrangement of FIGS. l-8.

In FIGS. 10 and 12 a post member 61 is shown in its normal relaxedposition. Each post member 61 includes a center body 62 formed of aresilient material, with such center body being rigidly affixed, as bybonding, to like rigid front cap 63 and similar rear cap 64. Extendingaxially outwardly of caps 63 and 64 are front and rear like mainsnubbers, generally designated 66 and 67, and comprising a plurality oflike resilient rings 68 between which are sandwiched a plurality of likerigid metallic rings 70. Outwardly of and bonded to the outermostresilient ring 68 of each main snubber is an annular backing plate 72having a coaxial bore 73. Front and rear auxiliary snubbers, generallydesignated 74 and 75, abut the outer surface of each plate 72.

Each auxiliary snubber includes a rigid cylindrical cage 76 within whichis disposed an elongated tube 78 formed of resilient material. The outerend of each cage 76 is formed with a rigid cap element 80 of generallyfrusto-conical configuration. A tension element, such as a cable 82,extends coaxially through the post member 61, with the front and rearends of such cable being rigidly secured, as by swaging, within an axialpassage 84 formed in caps elements 80. Preferably, the length of cable82 is so selected that when post member 61 is in its relaxed postiion ofFIGS. 9-12, cable 82 is prestressed sufficiently to apply compression torings 68 and tube 78. It should be understood that all of the elementsbetween front and rear cap elements 80 can undergo longitudinal movementrelative to cable 82. Cable 82 serves to limit the longitudinal distancecenter body 62 can be stretched when post member 61 is placed intension.

The post members 61 are received by like socket means, generallydesignated 90 and 91, formed in the bow and stem portions of theadjoining barges. The socket means 90 and 91 are mirror images of one another and include a barrel 94 formed with a flared entry 96 tofacilitate guiding of the caps 80 thereinto.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 10 and 11, like front and rearguillotine-type lock means, generally designated 98 and 99, areinterposed between each of the socket members 90 and 91 and theirrespective post members 61. Such lock means each include a verticalblade 100 which is vertically slidably carried within a verticalguideway 102 that extends upwardly from the intermediate portion of eachbarrel 94. The lower portion of each such blade is formed with anarcuate recess 104, which is selectively engageable with an externallocking groove 106 formed in front and rear end caps 63 and 64 of postmember 61. The blades 100 may be moved vertically either manually or bypower-operated means (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 14, each post member 61 is adapted to undergobending, compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensiveforces between adjoining barges, while such barges undergo simultaneousrelative movement in pitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway. In FIG. 13 thepost member 61 is shown resisting a load in tension applied by theblades of lock means 98. It will be noted that under a tension load theresilient rings 68 and tube 78 of the main and auxiliary snubbers 66 and74, respectively, are placed in compression by means of caps 80 andcable 82.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the elements of post member 61 areshown as they appear when such post member transfers compressive forcesbetween two adjoining barges. Thus, it will be noted that the midportionof the resilient center body 62 will be squeezed radially outwardly.Upon this occurrance, the cage 76 and its cap element 80 will movelongitudinally outwardly relative to the rest of the other elements ofthe post member. Additionally, the resilient rings 68 and the resilienttube 78 are free to assume their relaxed configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a top plan view of post member61 when the elements thereof are disposed in a heaving condition. Itwill be noted that because of the unconfined nature of the intermediateportion of the center body 62, such center body can readily flex toaccommodate the relative sideward motion of the two adjoining barges.While only one of the post members is shown it will be understood thatthe other post member ofa pair thereof will flex in a similar manner.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown a top plan view of one of thepair of post members 61 when the elements of such post members arearranged in a bending position so as to accommodate yaw between twoadjoining barges. Again it would be clear that because of the unconfinednature of the center body 62, such center body can readily bend andconcurrently stretch to accommodate such yaw. Concurrently, the otherpost member disposed at the opposite side of the adjoining barges willundergo concurrent bending and compression to accommodate yaw betweenthe barges.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown a third form of postmember, generally designated 101, embodying the present invention. Postmember 101 includes a resilient center body 102. One end, as forexample, the front end of such post member is provided with an end cap105 forwardly of which is disposed a main snubber 106 generally similarto the aforedescribed main snubber 68, but utilizing additionalresilient rings 68' and metallic rings 70. Forwardly of the main snubber106 is disposed an auxiliary snubber 108 which is similar inconstruction to the aforedescribed auxiliary snubber 74, except that itis of greater length. The rear of opposite end of center body 102 isaffixed to a rear end cap 112 similar in construction to the front endcap 105. Outwardly of each end cap there is disposed a frustoconical capelement 114 similar to the aforedescribed cap element 80. A cable 82extends between cap elements 114. With the arrangement of FIGS. 19 and20 the snubbing action takes place solely to one side of the center body102 rather than at both sides. It will be noted that the end caps 105and 1 12 are provided with annular locking grooves 106' similar to thoseutilized in the apparatus of FIGS. 9-18. The front and rear of postmember 101 are respectively received within socket members 90 and 91'that are operatively associated with lock means 98 and 99 of the typedescribed hereinbefore.

Referring now to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 there is shown a post member 101 ofthe type disclosed in FIGS. 19 and 20 arranged so as to belongitudinally moveable within stern socket means, generally designated150, of a barge B-2'. Socket means 150 is generally similar to theaforedescribed socket means 90 and 91 including a barrel 152 formed witha flared entry 154 to facilitate guiding of the front cap 114 of postmember 101 thereinto. The flared entry 104 faces aft from the transom156 of barge 8-2. The stern portion of barge 8-2 is formed with a frontvertical guideway 158 for a guillotine blade 160 similar to blade 100described hereinbefore. The blade 160 is selectively vertically movableinto front slot 162, intermediate slot 164 and rear slot 166 formed insuch barrel 152. In FIG. 21 the locking blade 160 is shown extendingdownwardly through front slot 162 and into an external front lockinggroove 170 of post member 101. At this time, the rear end of the postmember is positioned generally in vertical alignement with transom 156of barge 3-2. This is the stowed postiion of the post member.

Referring now to FIG. 22, when it is desired to couple barge 8-2 tobarge B-l', post member 101 will be partially extended aft from thebarrel 152 of socket means 150. This movement can be effected by firstraising locking blade 160 from locking slot 170. Thereafter, post member101 is urged rearwardly until slot 170 is in vertical alignment withguideway 158. Thereafter, locking blade 160 is lowered throughintermediate slot 164 so as to engage locking groove 170.

Barge 8-1 is also provided with a vertical guideway l80 within which isvertically slidably carried a vertical locking blade 182. Locking blade182 is engageable with an external locking groove 184 formed in rear endcap 112 of post member 101. It should be understood that when the barges8-1 and 8-2 are utilized under calm water conditions, the transomsthereof may be disposed-relatively close together. This is thearrangement shown in FIG. 22.

Referring now to FIG. 23, when the barges are to be utilized under roughwater conditions, it is desirable that their transoms be spaced fartherapart than in calm water conditions. To achieve this result, post member101 will be extended further aft from its position of FIG. 22 so thatlocking blade 160 extends through rear recess 166 of barrel 152 and theninto locking groove 170 of post member 101.

With respect to the utilization of the vertically moving locking blades100 and 160 into and out of their respective locking grooves, it shouldbe noted that the blades may be readily withdrawn radically upwardlyfrom their locking grooves independently of the relative attitudes ofthe barges. This is an important feature since it permits the barges tobe readily uncoupled in an emergency situation. The same is true withrespect to the locking arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings.

It will be apparent that the post member shown in FIGS. 9-23 like thoseshown in .FIGS. 1-8, are free to undergo compression and tension intransferring compressive and tensive forces between adjoining vesselswhile permitting the adjoining vessels to undergo simultaneous relativemovement in roll, pitch, yaw, surge and heave. This is true because ofthe resilient nature of the center bodies of these post members and thefact that such center bodies are unconfined. Additionally, the resilientnature of the post members provide an impedance in the force pathbetween the vessels which reduces the forces caused by relative motiontherebetween and spreads these reduced forces over a longer time period.In this manner, the post members absorb, cushion, reduce and transferforces without permitting a peak build-up to occur, as is the case withnonresilient couplings.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to theforegoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

I claim: 1. Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between twoclosely adjoining vessels, comprising:

post means having a generally elongated body formed of an unconfinedresilient material and a cap member formed of a rigid material securedto each end of said post means, said post means normally extendinghorizontally and longitudinally in a cantilever fashion relative to saidvessels;

horizontally and longitudinally extending socket means on the facing bowand stem portions of said vessels that receive the caps of said postmeans, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between saidvessels; and

with said resilient material being free to. undergo bending, compressionand tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between saidvessels while said vessels undergo simultaneous relative movement inpitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.

2. Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closelyadjoining vessels, comprising:

post mearis having a generally elongated body a cap formed of a rigidmaterial secured to each end of said post means, said cap having an endknob of generally hemispherical configuration;

horizontally and longitudinally extending socket means on the facing bowand stem portions of said vessels that receive the opposite ends of saidpost means, said socket means including a barrel having a bore formedwith a flared entry to facilitate guiding of said end knob into saidbarrel, the body of resilient material bridging the gap between saidvessels; and

with said resilient material being free to undergo bending, compressionand tension in transferring compressive and tensive forces between saidvessels while said vessels undergo simultaneous relative movement inpitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.

3. Force-transfer coupling apparatus as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid apparatus further includes lock means operatively associated withsaid socket means and selectively engageable with said cap to removablyretain said post means within said socket means.

lectively engageable with said groove.

1. Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposed between two closelyadjoining vessels, comprising: post means having a generally elongatedbody formed of an unconfined resilient material and a cap member formedof a rigid material secured to each end of said post means, said postmeans normally extending horizontally and longitudinally in a cantileverfashion relative to said vessels; horizontally and longitudinallyextending socket means on the facing bow and stern portions of saidvessels that receive the caps of said post means, the body of resilientmaterial bridging the gap between said vessels; and with said resilientmaterial being free to undergo bending, compression and tension intransferring compressive and tensive forces between said vessels whilesaid vessels undergo simultaneous relative movement in pitch, heave,roll, yaw and sway.
 2. Force-transfer coupling apparatus interposedbetween two closely adjoining vessels, comprising: post means having agenerally elongated body formed of an unconfined resilient material,said post means extending horizontally and longitudinally in acantilever fashion relative to said vessels; a cap formed of a rigidmaterial secured to each end of said post means, said cap having an endknob of generally hemispherical configuration; horizontally andlongitudinally extending socket means on the facing bow and sternportions of said vessels that receive the opposite ends of said postmeans, said socket means including a barrel having a bore formed with aflared entry to facilitate guiding of said end knob into said barrel,the body of resilient material bridging the gap between said vessels;and with said resilient material being free to undergo bending,compression and tension in transferring compressive and tensive forcesbetween said vessels while said vessels undergo Simultaneous relativemovement in pitch, heave, roll, yaw and sway.
 3. Force-transfer couplingapparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said apparatus furtherincludes lock means operatively associated with said socket means andselectively engageable with said cap to removably retain said post meanswithin said socket means.
 4. Force-transfer coupling apparatus as setforth in claim 3 wherein said cap is provided with an external grooveand said lock means includes a latch bar moveable radially into and outof said barrel so as to be selectively engageable with said groove.